In case of another crisis like Hurricane Katrina, the Vicksburg Warren School District will be able to operate most of its fleet of 142 buses for two weeks.

The Board of Trustees voted Thursday to start the bidding process for a 12,000-gallon tank for diesel fuel storage.

&#8220By buying in bulk, we’ve estimated we’ll save about 10 cents a gallon, but it will also ensure that we will have fuel in the case of another emergency,” said Superintendent James Price.

The district is expected to save about $17,000 a year, Price said. The tank will be at the bus barn on Mississippi 27, and the money to buy the fuel tank will come from the capital improvements fund, he said. All district buses have diesel engines.

In addition to the initial approval, the board voted to authorize Price to explore the details of an interlocal agreement with the sheriff’s department to also store its fuel at the bus barn to use in case of an emergency.

&#8220It’s always better to have your own,” said District 2 Trustee Zelmarine Murphy. &#8220I think the hurricane taught us all that.”

The board also voted to declare a state of emergency for Warren Central High School Gym B, which had substantial damage from a leaky roof several months ago.

By declaring a state of emergency, the board will be able to get the repairs done immediately rather than follow the standard two-month bidding process.

The floor of about half of the gym is buckled, but the other half is usable, said Donny Fuller, the girls’ basketball coach.

Gym B is used by the P.E. classes and as an alternate practice arena for both basketball teams.

&#8220I’ve been there and looked at this, and it’s not usable period,” said District 1 Trustee Jerry Boland. &#8220We need to get that thing fixed.”

The roof and floors of the main gym were replaced in November 2004 after a July storm ripped away parts of the roof and allowed rainwater on the wood, which buckled beyond repair.

Board members also approved changes in district policy regarding grade acceleration and summer school eligibility originally presented during the July meeting.

The policy now states that the board believes it is in a child’s best interest to remain with his or her age group in kindergarten through eighth grade. It also states that the district will allow students to enroll in summer school for new credit for courses if the courses do not require a subject-area test or that are not a prerequisite for a course that requires a subject-area test.

The changes are only for students seeking to get ahead. Students will continue to be held back for not accomplishing grade-level work under existing standards.

In other meeting business, the board: